Player Updates

Wilkerson will need to rebound from a disappointing 2016 campaign or risk being released next offseason, ESPN's Rich Cimini reports.

Wilkerson signed a massive five-year, $86 million extension with the Jets last July, only to then see his production dip from 64 tackles and 12.0 sacks in 2015 to just 58 stops and 4.5 sacks last season. Amid tardiness and concerns over his effort last year, the fact that Wilkerson's contract currently contains no fully guaranteed money after this season gives the Jets the option of cutting their loses should he continue to underwhelm. While that should motivate Wilkerson to return to his Pro-Bowl best, unlike last year, an offseason without having to rehab from surgery on a broken leg also bodes in his favor. Overall, the 27-year-old will need to prove worthy of his hefty contract in order to reap the benefits of it down the road.